Randy Moss Claimed by Titans

Randy Moss was claimed off waivers by the Titans, one day after being released by the Vikings. The Titans will be the third team Moss has played for during the 2010 season -- he opened the year as a Patriot, was traded to Minnesota in early October, and now joins Tennessee.

Tennessee was in the No. 22 position on the waiver list, which is based on teams' current records. Several teams above the Titans in the waiver order were considered possible landing spots for Moss, including St. Louis, Oakland, Washington and Miami, but all passed.

While Titans coach Jeff Fisher had been tight-lipped about the team's interest in Moss, he said earlier Wednesday that Titans players had told him they hoped the team would pursue the controversial former Pro Bowl receiver.

"The year I spent with Randy, I never had a problem with the guy," quarterback Kerry Collins, who played with Moss in Oakland in 2005, told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.

"He was respectful, he was a team guy. I think a lot of stuff you see and hear gets overblown. The guy speaks his mind, is very truthful with what he says and that doesn't always play well. But as far as what kind of guy and teammate he is ... he was a great teammate and I never had a problem with him."

Moss made just nine catches in four games with the Patriots this season, prior to his trade to Minnesota. He struggled with the Vikings, as well, hauling in 13 catches in four games -- but just one grab for eight yards in Minnesota's loss at New England last Sunday.

Following that game, Moss launched into a tirade at his postgame press conference, first bemoaning the NFL's $25,000 fine against him for not talking to the media, then criticizing the Vikings' game plan.

Moss did not return to Minnesota with the Vikings, instead staying behind in Boston to visit family, according to Minnesota coach Brad Childress.

On Monday, Childress told the Vikings players that Moss would be released -- news that sent shockwaves through the Minnesota locker room and the entire NFL. However, Moss' name was not present on Monday's waiver-wire list, as Minnesota did not process his release by the 4 p.m. ET deadline. That glitch led to some speculation that the Vikings were backtracking on their decision, a possibility furthered by a report that Moss would return to play for the Vikings -- but only if Childress was no longer there.

Childress put an end to all the speculation late Monday when he confirmed Moss' release in a team-issued statement. Moss was then placed on Tuesday's waiver wire, permitting the other 31 teams to lay claim to him.

Moss' current contract expires after the 2010 season, meaning he'll be an unrestricted free agent. Moss and the Patriots agreed to a clause in that contract preventing New England from placing a franchise tag on him prior to 2011 -- that caveat remains on the books for Moss, so Tennessee will have to extend that current deal or re-sign him in free agency to keep him beyond the end of this season.nfl.fanhouse.com